The new Strength Fitness Ramona offers adults and teens looking for an alternative workout routine a challenging option with total resistance exercise and spin classes, according to owner Julia Graham.

The straps used for total resistance exercise, or TRX, were invented by a U.S. Navy Seal, Graham said. So the straps used in her studio at 1925 Main St., Suite 4, are the same type of equipment used by military personnel to keep fit.

“You’re working all the muscles in your body so you’ll feel it the next day,” said Graham, who has acquired 22 members plus drop-in customers since she began offering classes in Ramona on Aug. 12. “People say they feel sore in places they didn’t know existed. There’s a slight learning curve to it because you’re using your mind along with your body.”

Arms and legs are arranged in different positions using the straps to help strengthen the body, she said.

A routine called “Tabata” involves 20 seconds of high-intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. When repeated, Graham said it can boost a person’s metabolism for the rest of the day so they are burning calories at a faster rate than usual.

Students who sign up for her classes learn how to execute the exercises and then can challenge themselves with their workout.

“Ninety-eight percent of the people I train with have never done TRX training,” she said.

Another benefit, she says, is improved balance and stability, which is useful in everyday activities from picking up groceries to carrying children.

At Strength Fitness Ramona, TRX exercises can be combined with spin classes that have 12 Schwinn AC Performance bikes, which are equipped with a belt to simulate riding a bike on the road.

“This feels like you’re riding on a road and you can do uphill or flat roads,” she said.

During the spin sessions, Graham turns down the lights and illuminates the room with colorful stage lights while playing all types of motivational music, from pop and hip-hop to classic rock.

As her business gets going, Graham said she may recruit her husband to help by offering a DJ spin class. Arnie Graham coordinates entertainment such as DJs and live musicians for wedding and corporate events and provides audio-visual services for hybrid virtual and in-person conferences and meetings through his business, Ansom Productions, Inc.

Julia Graham said her interest in exercising really took off after a back injury developed into a painful bulged disk in her lower back in 2012. Graham said she took a TRX class to help strengthen her lower back and core. And since she couldn’t run anymore, her sister suggested she try cycling. That led her to take spin classes.

After the Ramona resident of four years had two babies 15 months apart — Nicholas in June 2021 and Daniel in September 2022 — she said she was able to get back in shape with a program of TRX and spinning.

Graham said she loves to see her students improve over time as they get physically stronger and become happier people.

“It doesn’t matter when you start but it matters more that you start,” said Graham, who previously offered TRX classes at the Ramona MMA Center for nine months.

Two types of memberships are available: $179 for unlimited monthly classes and $149 for eight classes per month. Discounts are available to new students for their first month. Single classes cost $25 each. A class schedule is available on the website, StrengthFitnessRamona.com.

Students can be ages 14 and older, but teens under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call Graham at 610-291-6538.

Poke’Oka’s new owners don’t plan any changes

Irma Herrera, who did food prep and cashiering at Poke’Oka, is now the new owner, along with her family.

Poke’Oka, just two doors away from Strength Fitness Ramona, at 1925 Main St., Suite 2, was opened in April 2021 by the Montesdeoca family. The Hawaiian-Japanese eatery has offered a healthy dining alternative that accentuates fresh vegetables.

Protein items include tuna, salmon, shrimp and tofu that can be combined with items such as salads, brown or white rice and sauces.

The Montesdeocas named the restaurant Poke’Oka because the last few letters of the former owners’ last name sounds like “Oka,” said former co-owner Yvett Montesdeoca. The word translates as mountain of geese in Spain, which is where the family is from.

But when the Montesdeocas decided to move to Texas, the Herrera family took over the restaurant on May 20.

The Herreras decided not to alter the menu other than to add a few drinks, which include a variety of teas including some with Boba toppings, Vietnamese coffee and different styles of water.

The Poke’Oka venture is Herrera’s first time owning a restaurant, although she has many years of experience in the restaurant industry. She worked as an assistant manager at the Wendy’s fast-food restaurant in Ramona for 14 years and also as a chief lead at Taco Bell in Ramona.

Herrera said she spent a year and a half working for the Montesdeocas before she and her family were given the opportunity to run the restaurant.

Family members who now share the workload are Herrera’s husband, Oscar, and daughters, Mayra and Blanca, in addition to daughter-in-law, Brianna Torrecillas. The Herreras’ son, Victor, works in the air-conditioning industry. But even the Herreras’ youngest daughter, Miandrea, 14, visits the restaurant occasionally.

Irma Herrera said they are a tight-knit family who enjoy working together and helping each other out.

“I like everything about Poke’Oka, especially the food and customer service,” she said. “I’ve been working with customers for a long time and I enjoy talking to people.”

Poke’Oka is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and offers online ordering at PokeOka.com.

For more information, call 760-315-9231.